HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL

BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND

LATIN-AMERICAN MUSIC
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

The traditional music of Africa,

given the vastness of the continent, is
historically ancient, rich and diverse,
with different regions and nations of
Africa having many distinct musical
traditions.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC
The music of Africa is as vast and varied as the
continent's many regions, nations, and ethnic
groups. The African continent comprises
approximately 20 percent of the world's land
mass and has a population of roughly 934
million. African music is as diverse as its
cultures and peoples and has flowered in many
indigenous forms as well as been shaped by
foreign influences.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

TRADITIONAL MUSIC
When discussing African music, the term
"traditional music" is used to refer to the
characteristics of African music prior to the
colonization of the continent by European
countries, which was most widespread during
the late nineteenth century.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

Music is an integral part of African ethnic life,

accompanying many kinds of events, including
childbirth, marriage, hunting, and even political
activities. Many cultures use song and dance to
ward off evil spirits, and pay respects to good
spirits, the dead, and ancestors.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC
MUSICAL COMPONENTS
Despite their diversity, traditional African
musical forms share some common traits. The
emphasis is placed more strongly
on rhythms than on melody and harmony.
Repetition is use as an organizing principle on
top of which improvisation is built. African
music is mostly performed by groups of
musicians, frequently employing polyphony,
polyrhythm, and a conversational style of music
and interlocking.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

Form
The most frequently used form in African
musical traditions consists of the use of ostinato,
or repeated short musical phrases with the
accompaniment of melodic-rhythmic patterns.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

Rhythmic Structure
Rhythm is the most distinguishing characteristic
of African music tradition. Four basic elements
characterize African rhythmic structure.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

Texture
African music, from the communal nature of
African society, is marked by the simultaneous
sounding of two or more pitches. Melody and
rhythm are interwoven within this dense
structure of various instrumental and metric
combinations.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

Text/lyrics
African music is often used to transmit messages
and ideas; and to record and recount historical
events. Consequently, the meaning of the texts
and their relation to the music especially
important.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

Polyphony
The composition of African music employs
polyphony. Polyphony is defined as the
composition of multiple simultaneously
sounding and rhythmically independent parts.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

Repetition
Most African composition is based on the
repetition of a musical unit. It is that repetition
that holds together the other musical units of the
composition.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

Call and response

The call and response is a form of music
composition wherein a vocalist or
instrumentalist will sing or play a phrase and
another vocalist or instrumentalist will answer
with another phrase creating a lively exchange.
 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF AFRICAN AND LATIN-
AMERICAN MUSIC

Hocketing
Hocketing is the sharing of rhythmic or melodic
lines between two or more players, one part
resting while the other part performs a note or
notes.